AllFreeNovel
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“I won’t.”
The first weekend, we went exploring and ended up in a small town having a street celebration, and there were all sorts of baby animals for sale. We got a rabbit. Arthur named it Carrots, and Carrots hasn’t gone one day without a carrot since.
I picked the chickens up a few days ago and Arthur saw that the property had a pond with ducks. Him and I both agreed we needed that. Our little hobby farm is growing fast.
“Hey little fluff ball,” I say to Carrots, as I open his door. He hops to the opening and his little nose twitches as I give him the carrot. I scratch him between the ears then fill his pellets and check his water.
The chickens are next, and they are anything but clean. They are still in the garage under a heating light because they are too young to go out. As soon as I open the garage door I hear their little chirps. I lift the chicken wire top of their brooder and they scatter. I pull out their feeder and replace it with a clean one, then do the same with the water. I’ve read that ducks are messier than chickens, but I think having a small pond will help.
I grab a couple chicks and bring them face to face with me. Their beady little black eyes, tiny beaks and yellow poof of feathers are too cute. I kiss the tops of their heads then set them back in and close the top.
Arthur and I are about done building the chicken coops. We just need to add chicken wire then build a fenced area for them with a roof. They will have ten by six feet of space to roam with two coops that are up off the ground.
I walk back into the house and Arthur is at the table writing something.
“Whatcha got there, bud?”
“This is the list of everything we will need for the new kitten.”
“Let’s see it.” I walk to him, and he hands me the list.
“Cat bed, litter box, litter, toys, tree, food, food bowl, water bowl, collar with a bell and catnip. Looks like a pretty good list.”
“Yup. Is it time to go now?”
“Not quite but we can head into town. I need to fill the truck up with gas and we can drop off the donation stuff.”
“Okay. I’ll get my shoes on.”
Arthur grabs the list from me then runs to his room while I grab my keys and wallet. I’m kinda of nervous to see Lily, but I think my excitement is overriding it. I want to hold her hand, kiss her soft lips, weave my fingers into her hair, feel her body pressed against mine...
“Ready!” Arthur says, pulling me from my daydream.
“Alright. Let’s go pick out a new family member.”
Chapter Fourteen
Lily
Saturdaymorningisawhirlwind. We finish setting up a few minutes before I open the store and there is a line of people outside. I can’t believe it.
I greet everyone as they walk in and when the oh’s and ah’s started it warmed my heart. Kittens really are some of the cutest babies. I mingle with the people and help people get the kittens from their crates. People liked to hold the kittens while walking around the store, pointing out all the cute things they will need for their new family member.
After a couple hours, half the kittens had been adopted and the two that were ready to go home, went home with families. I gave them each a goodie bag and told them their kitty is always welcome in my store. I don’t get cats often, mostly dogs, but I wouldn’t be mad about a kitty visitor. After I wave goodbye to someone, I see Ethan walking towards the store with his son. He doesn’t look too young, maybe nine or ten.
I back up to the counter and watch as he walks in with his boy, who looks like a miniature version of him. His son points to the kittens right away and Ethan lets go of his hand so he can go to them. Then he finds me and when our eyes link, my heart rate speeds up. One side of his mouth pulls up into a smile as he walks over to me.
“You look amazing today,” he says as he stops in front of me.
I look down at my outfit. I’m wearing skinny jeans with my very old, very worn teal boots and a blue hoodie with our store logo on it. My hair is in a ponytail, and I didn’t put a stitch of makeup on.
“If you say so.” I put my hands into my hoodie pocket while I let a smile grace my face.
“I do say so.” He grabs my elbow and brings me to him. “I don’t want Arthur to get any ideas, but I really want to kiss you right now.”
I look behind Ethan and see that his son is waiting to hold a kitten.
“I mean, he’s waiting for a kitten so his back...”
